Police bust underground mahjong den in Tai Po, arrest 14

Police have arrested 14 people during a raid on an alleged illegal mahjong gambling den in Tai Po on Tuesday.

Officers from the Tai Po district special duty squad raided a unit on Kwong Fuk Road around 6pm after thorough investigation.

A 68-year-old local man, surnamed So, was arrested for operating a gambling establishment, while 13 local men aged 59 to 71 were arrested for gambling in a gambling establishment.

Police seized two electric mahjong tables, four sets of mahjong equipment, various furniture and HK$690 in cash.

The 68-year-old man and eight other suspects have been charged and will appear at Fanling Magistrates' Courts on November 21. The remaining five were released on bail pending further investigation.

Under Hong Kong's Gambling Ordinance, both operating gambling establishments and gambling in such venues are serious offenses carrying maximum penalties of HK$5 million fines with seven years' imprisonment, and HK$30,000 fines with nine months' imprisonment respectively.